Third-row seats in the Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series and an old Honda Accord Euro… we’re here to answer any questions on cars you can think of!
Hi Practical Motoring,
I very much enjoy your vehicle reviews and opinions – a worthwhile website. Also, some excellent explanations of the nitty gritty of vehicle electronics.
I just read the LC200 Sahara review – you note the third-row seats are easily removable – how so? I liked your Fortuner explanation/images for the same issue, which did help me (and my wife) decide the Toyota Fortuner was not for us. I really do think that Toyota should sell an LC200 in GXL with five seats and KDSS in diesel – not everyone wants a people mover!.
In regard to another “problem” … I have a Honda Accord Euro 2004 manual which I purchased second-hand several years ago. It has been excellent bar some minor electrical issues, for which I forgive it, it is hardly a young vehicle. What I particularly like about it is it is a really nice car to drive, involving and “communicative”. Is there any equivalent new vehicle – equally “involving” mid-size manual sedan? Or am I dreamin’?
Many thanks.
Hi there, and thanks for your email,
Toyota is a business and they know they’ll make money out of people buying GXLs with the KDSS option, so that’s why they do it. It would help if there was more competition for the LC200 though; the seats unbolt and you’re away. That said, it’s not as good as fold-flat into the floor though, as in Land Rover Discovery, Mitsubishi Pajero, Toyota Prado and even Toyota’s own Kluger.
As for the Honda – no, you’re not dreaming, but there would be a bit more choice if you wanted an automatic. And yes, we completely understand the desire for a manual. Your only real options nowadays are sports sedans such as the Subaru WRX, Focus ST, Meganes or BMWs. Non-sports cars are increasingly likely to be automatic-only. Have a look at the Sports Car Purity link below for a few more ideas.
I have a 5 year old CU2 Honda Euro that I am looking at replacing with a Mazda 3 SP25, it is coming up for 190k. The Mazda would not be much smaller than the CL9 Honda Euro that you drive. I have test driven the 6M version of the SP25 and was left impressed. It is still my first choice for a replacement vehicle.
I did a similar thing with my 2006 Subaru Liberty – traded it last year for a new SP25.
The Euro and Liberty would have been similar sizes, but I have found the packaging of the 3 to be much better, not to mention more powerful and economical.